IPL Auction 2020: Four Players KKR should target in the auction

The IPL 2020 auction is set to take place on December 19th. After a lacklustre season last time out, Kolkata Knight Riders will look to bounce back and if the change in staff is anything to go by, KKR are looking to make a big statement this season. After bringing in Brendon McCullum and Kyle Mills as head coach and bowling coach, respectively, KKR will look to bring in a balance of young and experience after releasing players like Robin Uthappa, Carlos Brathwaite, Joe Denly, Piyush Chawla.

On that note, let's take a look at four players who should be targeted by KKR in the auction.

---

#4 Eoin Morgan

The World Cup-winning captain surprisingly went unsold in both 2018 and 2019 auctions.

The World Cup-winning captain surprisingly went unsold in both 2018 and 2019 auctions though proving his capability of winning matches single-handedly. Eoin Morgan, who is a two-time IPL winner, couldn't replicate his success in IPL as he did at the International level. He played a total of 52 matches scoring 854 runs at an average of 21.

KKR lack a dependable overseas middle-order batsman. Eoin Morgan is one of those batsmen who can change the flow of the game at any time. Joe Denly, who failed to perform in the last season, would probably be released ahead of the auction. Morgan will be a great pick to replace him.

He had a decent World Cup where he scored 371 runs at 42 per innings with an incredible strike rate of 111. His leadership skills could also get him a chance to captain an IPL team for the first time. Both his experience in the captaincy and limited-overs cricket can help KKR to win the title.

#3 Tom Curran

Tom Curran was named as a replacement for Starc but could not prove himself.

Tom Curran is one of the young talented English all-rounders. Curran, who is a dependable batsman and an excellent death bowler proved his ability, wherever he played but not in India.

Tom Curran was named as the replacement for Mitchell Starc but he couldn't live up to expectations as he was expensive in every match he bowled. Curran proved his critics wrong after a stupendous season in BBL. He scored 185 runs at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 145. With the ball, he picked up 20 wickets in 14 matches.

The team doesn't have a genuine overseas fast bowler. Tom Curran can be bought to replace Matthew Kelly, a player yet to debut in the internationals.

---

#2 Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran

The 24-year-old, Abhimanyu Easwaran is setting bars in Bengal cricket. He is recognised as the next big thing from Bengal by the experts. The reason is that he's been consistent throughout all the formats. He averages 50 in both first-class and one-day cricket. The skipper of Bengal also averages 37 in T20 cricket at a strike-rate of 132. With his highest score being 107*. Easwaran can be a great pick to replace an ageing Robin Uthappa as he also has experience playing at Eden Gardens.

#1 James Neesham

Jimmy Neesham is one of those hot properties in T20 cricket today.

James Neesham will be in the lists of many IPL teams in this auction given the incredible year he has had. He returned to the side for Sri Lanka-New Zealand series and made a name for himself. He continued his form with both bat and ball in World Cup when he notched 258 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 98. With the ball, he picked up 15 wickets. He didn't have a great season with TKR, but Brendon McCullum might have strong faith in his countryman.

The management knows about Andre Russel as he is an injury-prone. Jimmy Neesham can be a perfect replacement for him and can be used as the 5th bowler.